What Teachers and School Administration Should Know?

Kids more apt to be recruited by gangs and join gangs are:

• Poor
• Mental health issues
• Loners
• Have been victims of child abuse (mental or physical)
• Have parents in trouble
• Have experienced trauma at a young age
• Have parents not engaged in their lives

Warning Signs that could indicate involvement with gangs

• Obsession with certain clothing, colors, and brands, new and unusual jewelry
• Utilizes new hand signals and handshakes
• Discusses gangs
• Becomes obsessed with violent movies or  video games
• Begins breaking rules
• Has new “friends”
• School grades suddenly drop
• Shows signs of withdrawal, changes in attitude, and secrecy
• Suddenly has unexplained cash or other valuable possessions
• Begins drawing signs and pictures over and over
• Tatoos

What to do?

• Make sure all school personnel have had gang awareness education.
• Promote an anti gang atmosphere in the school
• Establish dress codes
• Discuss gangs with students, encourage discussion, and listen to students talk about gangs
• Investigate rumors
• Keep school clean
• Work with community organizations to establish and maintain after school activities
• Create school protocol and documentation requirement for reporting gang information

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